Library news & updates
Happy Fall, everyone! It's the perfect time to read: outside in the leaves leaned up against a tree, curled up on the couch with a cup of coffee and your cuddly dog or cat, or speeding down 146 in the torrential rain through endless construction. Though in that last circumstance, I highly recommend an audiobook rather than print. Definitely not braille. I have the Libby app on my phone, and always have at least one book downloaded to my shelf. I load up the app, start my book, and tuck my phone under the visor so the speaker is pointing down at my head. Elegant? No. But it works. And that is how I get most of my reading done nowadays.

Gail (our wonderful circulation librarian for those who don't know) has been collecting book recommendations from patrons at the circulation desk. So if you are looking for what your neighbors have liked reading recently, check these out:

Easy Reading. Couldn't put it down. Awesome.

Non-fic exploring why women are socialized to be pleasant and pleasing vs. feeling anger as men are socialized to do. The effects of this are wide reaching and affect more than meets the eye.

Sci-fi told from the perspective of "the biologist," a member of an exploration team sent into a rapidly changing area of Earth to try and explain what is happening.

WWI England: nice story of making the best of things.

Great book about the cycle of poverty and how others profit from it.

WWI England, class conflicts, getting along in small town, a little romance. Very nice.

A spooky page-turner!

Great characters. Shows the strength and determination of a mother's love.

In between books, come enjoy some of our library programs! . We have some neat stuff going on. See the highlights below:

Thanks for Reading,

Justin

Dr. Junglestein’s Halloween Spooktacular Madness Show
Thu, October 18, 6pm – 7pm

Are you ready some ghoul times? Want to see your patrons spookily delighted? This 45-minute program combines Halloween fun with Jungle Jim’s special brand of balloon magic. Performance includes the Thriller Dance Challenge, Mummy Balloon Wrap Extravaganza, Ghostbusters Training and the giant 6-foot balloon!
Introduction to Foraging for Wild Foods and Medicine
Tue, October 23, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Rachel Goclawski is a Massachusetts Certified Educator, Wild Foods Foraging Guide, Programming Partner with the Sudbury Valley Trustees, and Programming Partner with the Scouts of Eastern MA. On October 23, she'll be at the Simon Fairfield Public Library to lead an interactive, 1-hour presentation followed by a Q&A about foraging through the seasons, foraging safety and ethics, methods of identification, food preparation, and preservation.
Greatest Book Club Ever
Thu, November 1, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

October's book is Wonder by R. J. Palacio.

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. -Goodreads
Dance Sensation Movement Class
Mon, October 29, 10am – 11am

Dance Sensation will be presenting a dance movement class, story and craft for ages 2-6.

We will explore movement through fun games and activities to get your young child moving and having fun. Developing concentration, learning to see details, coordination, team work, independence, listening skills, following directions, improving social skills and creative skills, increasing confidence and overall just having fun are things we work on in the dance classroom for our preschool dancers. We hope to bring a taste of that to our program that we will be presenting at the library. Children should wear comfortable clothing. This class will involve parent participation and movement to help guide the children through the class when needed. We encourage parents to sit back and watch your little one enjoy moving and help redirect when needed or wanted by your child. If you have any questions about the class, please reach out to the Director Miss Amy at 508-341-1261 or [email protected].
Intrepid Readers
Tue, November 13, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Join the Douglas Library Intrepid Readers on November 13 to discuss A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

The beloved American classic about a young girl's coming-of-age at the turn of the century, Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a poignant and moving tale filled with compassion and cruelty, laughter and heartache, crowded with life and people and incident. The story of young, sensitive, and idealistic Francie Nolan and her bittersweet formative years in the slums of Williamsburg has enchanted and inspired millions of readers for more than sixty years. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the daily experiences of the unforgettable Nolans are raw with honesty and tenderly threaded with family connectedness -- in a work of literary art that brilliantly captures a unique time and place as well as incredibly rich moments of universal experience  -Goodreads

Call the Library 508-476-2695 for a copy of the book. New members always welcome. Homemade refreshments, inspired by the title being discussed, will be served.
Celtic Calligraphy with CJ Kennedy
Tue, November 27, 6pm – 8pm

In this 2 hour workshop, explore the exquisite, round shapes of the Uncial alphabet, a letter style used from the 3rd to the 8th centuries C.E. This hand is usually associated with Irish/Celtic writing. Though
ancient, Uncial letters lend themselves to modern applications for greeting cards, invitations,
scrapbooking, and art journaling. Participants will also learn how to create a knotwork design. Come and
unleash your inner Celt.
Brought to you by the Friends of the Simon Fairfield Public Library.